BLAH

WCW MAYHEM 1999

Tonight in my never ending quest to recap anything and everything related to
wrestling I'll take you back to the only pay-per-view I've ever had a chance
to attend. (Fingers crossed for Wrestlemania - though financial restraints
may be what holds me back. Nevertheless I'll keep hope that anything can
happen between now and March 17th.) 2 years ago WCW ventured up into Toronto
for the second time. (The first being a Nitro on March 29, 1999.) Vince Russo
was the new booker in town and this was the finals of a 32 man tournament.
Booker T, Brian Knobbs, and The Cat were all first round victims which pissed
me off royally at the time. So was Goldberg strangely enough. Or not so
strangely in the land of Russo.

Anyway, I was deeply in love with WCW at the time (and I would start to
quarrel regularly with my love not long following this show) so I walked out
of there as though this show was the greatest thing I'd ever seen. Of course,
live shows have a tendency to do that to me. I'll always have my memories of
that night - and I have a feeling revisiting it may hurt some of those
memories, but alas such is life.

I torment my soul for you.

Here's a video package reminding us about the tournament - including a
paintless Sting. Of COURSE we ignore the Scorpion Deathdrop Sting gave JJ
Dillon at the end of that segment. Oh my god, sportz entertainment had taken
over worse than I thought. It seems EVERY SINGLE MATCH in this first round
has some sort of storyline finish. And the second round…and the third round.
Madusa also got 2 chances in the tournament, because the 1500 other wrestlers
on the roster can't get over quite like OLD SAGGY IMPLANTS can! The plus from
this tourney? Chris Benoit got over in a mad way! Anyway, we're down to our
final four with Jarrett, Hart, Benoit, and Sting! I still have the final four
t-shirt, and pull it out every once in awhile.

One other thing I recall about this era was CRZ's recaps were getting
increasingly hilarious with every passing week.

It's Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan welcoming us to the show. Dig the guy
sitting behind the announcers who gives The Brain a thumbs up, and Schiavone
the thumbs down.

JEFF JARRETT vs. CHRIS BENOIT (in a semi-finals match in the World Title
Tournament)

Chris Benoit is sporting his first new music in years. Jeff
Jarrett's "Cowboy" also makes it's debut here.

Benoit kicks Jarrett, side headlock put on - Benoit shoved off into the
ropes, and Jarrett catches him with a drop toe hold. Jarrett taunts, and
Benoit stands and chops the hell out of Jarrett sending him down to the mat.
Benoit with a whip - reversed - Jarrett charges and Benoit gets a boot up! Up
to the second rope - TORNADO DDT! Holy hell this is all in the first 40
seconds. Benoit with a cover, 1, 2, and Jarrett kicks away. Punch to the
midsection, whip, atomic drop, neckbreaker, cover, 1, 2, Jarrett kicks out.
That was all in one motion as well! In the words of DDP - GOOD GAWD! Jarrett
set up top, and Benoit climbs…superplex!! A cover, 1, 2, and Jarrett again
kicks out. He rolls out to the floor, and Benoit goes for a baseball slide
style dropkick which misses, but he's there to trade punches anyway. Benoit
with the advantage and he starts to chop away at Jarrett. Jarrett ducks a
chop, lifts Benoit and sends him groin first into the ringpost! Benoit picked
up, and send face first into a steel chair. Now he's lifted again and dropped
hard across the guardrailing. Benoit rolled in - Jarrett follows, and he
stomps Benoit. Whip - ducks the clothesline, off the ropes, and Jarrett
connects with a powerslam. 1, 2, and Benoit kicks out. Vertical suplex -
hanging, dropped back, 1, 2, no! Off the ropes - Benoit with a sunset flip -
Jarrett rolls over and covers 1, 2, Benoit flips him over 1, 2, and Jarrett
kicks away. He runs over Benoit with a clothesline, 1, 2, Benoit's out. Off
the ropes - ducks a clothesline, on the other end and Jarrett slaps on a
sleeper hold. Benoit's down on the mat, and fading. Robinson checks the arm.
Once…no. Twice…no. Three times…Benoit is still with us! He's to his feet, and
he elbows out. Jarrett send off the ropes - and comes off with a
shoulderblock to Benoit. Whip - reverse - and Benoit gets a sleeper on
Jarrett! Jarrett jumps and hits a jawbreaker! Both men are down and Robinson
is counting. They're both up, Benoit with a backbreaker! Chops, whooooo!
Short arm clothesline from Jarrett is ducked and Benoit with the go behind
and connects with a German suplex! Rolling up, here's the second! There's #3
with a bridge, 1, 2, and Jarrett is out! BOOOOOOOOO here comes Creative
Control. Benoit in the ring with a snap suplex, then an elbow drop. Benoit
charges and Jarrett hotshots Benoit to the ropes and he bounces off to the
outside. Robinson is busy with his 10 count, but Jarrett gets Benoit anyway.
Benoit is sent in - and Jarrett heads up top. Flying crossbody, rolled
through, 1, 2, NO! Jarrett tries a sunset flip but Benoit sits down on his
shoulders, 1, 2, and Jarrett's out! Jarrett whips Benoit into the opposite
corner, face first, suplex attempted but Benoit lands feet first, belly to
back of his own! Benoit heads up top - swandive! 1, 2, and one of the Harris
twins pull Benoit off. The ref jaws with twin #1 while twin #2 is in and
stomping away. Jarrett slaps on The Stroke, while we look at Dustin Rhodes
coming out of the crowd. Jarrett covers, and Rhodes pulls Jarrett off at 2!
He fights with Creative Control twin #1 while twin #2 has the guitar to
Jarrett. Benoit knocks him off the apron, grabs the guitar and SMASHES
JARRETT! Cover, 1, 2, 3!!! Benoit wins!

Time: 9:43 ****1/4

Interference aside, THAT was a hot opener! Here comes Doug Dillenger, named
The Green Streak that night by my good friend Brooks. Every time trouble was
brewing, The Green Streak was flashing down the aisle like a madman to break
it up!

Let's go backstage with Mike Tenay.

Tenay has Disco and it's really hard to hear them thanks to the crew not
turning down the crowd. However I'm fully aware they're capable of doing it -
I seem to recall them bleeping out TONS of asshole chants, and even "(insert
wrestling) sucks". I think the point here is that Disco's in debt and needs
to win the next match to pay it off. Jarrett jumps the scene and attacks
Disco because he's still pissed about his loss. For some reason Jerry Only
and Konnan break this up. Why? Because they were there.

Alright, I suppose backstory is required. On the Thunder before the show,
Evan Karagias had a match with Lash LeRoux. Disco Inferno was doing ringside
commentary attempting to pick up Madusa, which led to Evan getting irritated
and it cost him the match. Evan attacked Disco, so Disco who was greatly in
debt to Tony Marinera's father challenged him to a match where the loser
gives up $25,000. Evan demanded the belt be on the line, and Disco accepted.
Then for no apparent reason Lash LeRoux took out the two of them with his
really swanky finisher, the Whiplash. The underlying problem here was nobody
bought Disco Inferno as the Cruiserweight champion, nor gave two shits about
Karagias.

Disco is still recovering backstage, so is at a bit of a disadvantage heading
into this one.

Evan meets Disco on the ramp and starts to beat on him. The bell RINGS before
they're in the ring, then the ref demands they get in. *sigh* Disco whipped
off the ropes - and met with a dropkick to the midsection. Evan covers, 1, 2,
Disco kiks away. Something that resembles a double underhook DDT is sorta hit
here, and Evan gets a 1 count. Another one, 1, 2, Disco kicks away. Something
happens that gets a 2 count, but we're too busy looking at Marinera on color -
who's GRINNING while in character. He also says "fuhget abou' it" about a
MILLION times. Disco with an eyepoke, kick to the midsection, side headlock
which gets shoved off, into the ropes, and Disco hits a shoulderblock. Off
the ropes - LOUSY hiptoss from Evan. Kick to Disco's midsection, vertical
suplex. Evan up - spring off the ropes, and connects with a crossbody. Evan
hooks the leg, and gets 2. Evan leaps up on Disco's shoulders, and sorta
rolls off the top in a hurricanrana. Either he's doing it on purpose - or
Evan has screwed up EVERY move he's attempted here. Good job on his first PPV
appearance since Slamboree 98! He tries the move again, and Disco hits an
atomic drop. Evan gets sent into the corner headfirst, and Disco stomps away.
Off the ropes, whip, and another atomic drop. Disco hits a clothesline, 1, 2,
Evan kicks out. Disco smiles over in the direction of Madusa, who smiles
back. And the camera crew caught it! Vertical suplex, and Disco dances for
Madusa. Another vertical suplex, and he dances some more. He tries a third,
but Evan slips away, crucifix rollup, and that gets 2! Disco's up and runs
him over with a clothesline. Evan set - and Disco tries a powerbomb, but Evan
slips off the back in a sunset flip which gets 2. Big back elbow from Evan
leads to another pin, 1, 2, no dice. Let's watch Tony Marinera show off his
big gold watch, how nice. Disco sent off the ropes, but he catches Evan with
a Russian legsweep. Scoop and a slam, and Disco points the turnbuckle. He
heads to the second turnbuckle, blows a kiss to Madusa, and hits a double
axehandle. Off the ropes by Evan - and Disco sends him over the top ropes.
Madusa comes over to feel him up, and as Disco goes for a double axehandle
from the apron to the ground, Evan hits a dropkick to the midsection. Evan
rolls him in and gets 2. Disco into the corner, and Evan chops away. Whip
into the opposite corner, and Disco gets an elbow up. He charges, but eats a
powerslam. 1, 2, Disco's out. Evan off the ropes - big splash, but Disco gets
his knees up. BORING chant breaks out. I don't believe I was a part of that
chant, but I should have been. Disco kicks Evan in the midsection, hits the
DDT, 1, 2, no. Disco points at Madusa, and heads out to the floor. He says
something, and gets slapped in the face. Evan comes off the apron and hits an
axehandle, then punches at Disco's back. Disco rolled in, and we watch Tony
Marinera come on to Madusa. Evan meanwhile does something which we miss the
first half of, but I'll assume is a Lou Thesz press. Evan comes out to attack
Marinera for messing with his girl. Disco runs over with a chair, but runs
right over Marinera with it instead of Evan. Evan gets in some shots, rolls
Disco in, slingshot crossbody, 1, 2, 3. Yay, we have a new Cruiserweight
champion.

Time: 7:57 1/4*

Sadly, the Cruiserweight division would get worse before it would get better.

Bret Hart is walking.

In the office of the Powers That Be, the Power gives Jarrett hell. He has the
rest of the night to make it up to him - or else.

Mean Gene stands with Norman Smiley, who tonight will wrestle Brian Knobbs
and the winner will be the first ever WCW Hardcore Champion. Norman freaks
out at the sight of something. He's wearing a Leafs jersey to suck up to the
locals. I can assure you it worked.

Knobbs attacks with the broomstick, then goes to the trashcan. Repeated shots
to Norman's head have him woozy. Knobbs attacks with REALLY stiff trashcan
lid shots and Norman is screaming. More trashcan shots. Norman is dragged to
the middle, and gets attacked with the broom. Knobbs to the second rope with
a trashcan…he leaps, and Norman moves. Norman gets a trashcan from Jimmy
Hart, and decks Knobbs. He puts the can on Knobbs' head, then attacks the can
with a hockey stick. Knobbs gets out, so Norman puts it back on. Another big
shot to the head of the can, and Knobbs it out. Norman hits him once with the
stick, then goes for the wiggle. Knobbs gets an elbow, then waffles Norman
with the trashcan. Then he spends a minute untying Norman's goalie pads, and
goes back to the trashcan attacks. Norman gets the lid of the trashcan and
attacks Knobbs a couple of times before rolling out to the floor. Jimmy Hart
leaps on the back of Norman, then Norman gets a trashcan thrown at him right
on the head. Oww! Knobbs whacks him over the head with a couple of trashcan
lid shots, and again goes back to the cans. They brawl down the aisle towards
the back. Norman gets a chair right behind the camera, drives it into Knobbs'
midsection then hits him on the back. Norman gets a broom and whacks Knobbs
in the face. So Knobbs gets the trashcan and clobbers Norman. Knobbs gets the
table and sets it against the wall. Norman gets thrown into it headfirst, and
it half breaks. Norman gets up, set Knobbs on a rolling piece of luggage, and
drives him into a Surge box. Once off the luggage, Knobbs takes a trip right
into the wall headfirst. He picks up a crutch that was lying around, and
cracks it over Norman's back. Norman gets taken to some empty boxes and
thrown into them. Knobbs finds more boxes and throws Norman into those. Then
he finds a plastic trash container and completely nails Norman square on the
head. Knobbs is so unbelievably dangerous - which is why I love his matches,
but pity the guys he's wrestling. Jimmy Hart throws cans of food at Norman
while Knobbs gets sent into some empty boxes. Norman gets tossed on the door
of an elevator, then it opens, they go in, and the door closes. Hah! The door
opens again and Jimmy Hart waffles….Brian Knobbs who was the first guy out!
Norman makes the pin, 1, 2, 3! We have ourselves the first Hardcore Champion!

Time: 7:28 *1/4

An absolutely stupid match - but they kept brawling and never took a break.
Post match Knobbs goes nuts and sends both Norman and Jimmy Hart into some
buns.

Here's a highlight package of the issues between the Filthy Animals and the
Revolution.

Mike Tenay stands with Shane Douglas, and wonders what'll happen if it comes
down to Asya vs. The Animals. Douglas offers up a ton of different endings,
and wonders what if Torrie Wilson gets abducted again. Malenko throws in a
whole bunch of what ifs, and Saturn wonders what if the dinosaurs were still
alive, trampling over stuff. He's basically the same character here as he is
once he started getting hit in the head…minus the whole sleeping with a mop
thing.

Kidman charges the ring and goes after Malenko, while Eddie takes out Saturn.
The Animals then team up and double clothesline Asya. Malenko takes a double
flapjack, and Saturn gets sent to the floor. Eddie and Malenko kick off.
Malenko gets sent into the ropes, and back dropped across the ring. Malenko
is sent face first into the corner, takes some punches, switch, whip attempt
is blocked, and Malenko's in his own corner. Eddie climbs the turnbuckle, and
Dean calmly places him on the apron. Eddie catches Dean with his legs and
pulls him over the top to the floor. They trade punches, and Saturn does an
Asai moonsault from the apron onto both of them. Beautiful! Kidman knocks
Asya off the apron and hits a bodyblock of his own onto Saturn. Malenko is
elsewhere and a Canadian flag wielding fan knocks him with the flagpole. He
and Malenko jaw, and the fan jabs the stick into Malenko. Security rushes
over and escorts him out of the arena. From where I was sitting, I saw the
whole thing from the start and I thought it was actually a fan attack! Just
remember that attack for later on. Asya and Torrie square off in the ring.
Kidman rushes in, but Asya decks him. While her back is turned, Torrie jumps
on her back and pulls hair. Then she drives her to the mat and knocks her
head on the ground a bunch of times. Kidman saves as Asya JUST reverses, but
Saturn's also in and he picks on Torrie. Eddie rushes over and dumps Saturn
back over the top. Eddie makes sure Torrie's okay, and Kidman doesn't
appreciate that. Eddie however is more concerned with Torrie, and elbows
Kidman out of the way. Malenko, always thinking, is there and rolls him up,
1, 2, 3!

Time: 2:56

So it's 3 on 2 now. Kidman is NOT happy and starts to scream at Eddie, then
shoves him not once, but twice. So Eddie shoves him back and the fans are
backing Eddie. Konnan makes sure that Torrie's okay (the sneaky, slimy
bastard) while Dean and Saturn both run over Eddie. Dean stays in the ring,
and Eddie gets a side headlock. He's sent off the ropes - and Dean catches
him with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, however he's let down gently and held on
the knee as Saturn comes off the top with a kneedrop that looks like it kills
him! Konnan heads off to the back while we get a 2 count in the ring. Asya
and Saturn whip Eddie off the ropes, and connect with a double back elbow.
Asya with a vertical suplex and covers. 1, 2, Eddie escapes. Dean is tagged
back in. He tries a vertical suplex, but Eddie escapes and rolls Dean up, 1,
2, Dean shoves him off right into the corner where he nails Saturn. Belly to
back from Dean fails, and Eddie hits a dropkick. Dean charges out of the
corner and gets met with a hurricanrana. Eddie hooks a leg, 1, 2, 3!

Time: 5:02

Saturn is too late breaking up the count. Eddie is picked in a gorilla press
position and dropped right onto the ropes. Torrie cheers from the floor.
Fisherman's suplex, and Asya is tagged in. She punches Eddie, whips him
across the ring, kick in the gut, and a belly to belly. That gets 2.
Clothesline, and she holds Eddie hostage. Saturn squares - Eddie ducks, and
he hits the superkick on Asya! Eddie sends him out to the floor, heads up
top - Froggie Splash! 1, 2, 3!

Time: 6:28

Saturn immediately hits a t-bone with a bridge, 1, 2, kickout. Sleeper is
locked on. Eddie starts to fall…and hits a jawbreaker. Saturn again puts the
sleeper back on. Eddie shoves him off into the ropes, and as Saturn comes off
Eddie puts the sleeper on Saturn. Saturn just lifts him back with a belly to
back. Saturn's punches are blocked and countered with Eddie's. Saturn set off
the ropes, ducks Eddie's clothesline, springs off the ropes - and meets
Eddie's dropkick right in the midsection. Eddie gets him in the corner,
tornado DDT! 1, 2, Saturn gets a shoulder up. Off the ropes, reversed, Saturn
catches Eddie with the Death Valley Driver, and Eddie kicks out!!! Saturn is
not happy, so he heads up top, and misses a big elbow! Eddie wants a tag from
Torrie, but then comes to his senses and tells her not to worry about it. He
heads back over, hits a rana, 1, 2, Saturn kicks away. Eddie up top, and
Saturn rolls away. He stands - Eddie hits a crossbody, but Saturn rolls
through and hooks the Rings Of Saturn! Eddie does NOT want to give up…but has
to.

Time: 10:18

Torrie Wilson realizes she's the only one left. She slowly climbs into the
ring, so Saturn comes over and she cowers in the corner. He drags her to the
middle of the ring - and she kicks him in the groin! 1, 2, Saturn kicks away.
Douglas gets on the apron, and Saturn goes low on Torrie. 1, 2, 3.

Time: 11:15 **

Does that move really hurt chicks?

In the back, Creative Control and Jeff Jarrett are all involved in a Buff
Bagwell beating, making them all just a little bit cooler.

CURT HENNIG vs. BUFF BAGWELL (in a Loser Must Retire match)

Buff's music plays, but there's no sign of him. Jeff Jarrett and Creative
Control appear instead. Hennig is attacked by all three, and the opening bell
sounds??? What the HELL is it with the timekeeper tonight? Buff rushes in
with a 2 by 4 to chase them all off. So Hennig waffles him from behind when
he's not looking. Hah!! Hennig takes a knee to the head of Bagwell. Lockup in
the corner, and the ref forces Hennig to break. Hennig chops Bagwell, the
pinches at a nerve on Bagwell's shoulder. Bagwell rolls out, and Hennig is
right there. A "Perfect" chant breaks out in the crowd. Bagwell is sent into
the guardrail in a couple of spots, then Hennig stops to tell Heenan that
Bagwell's going down. Buff is sent back into the ring. Hennig talks more with
Heenan while on the apron, and Buff shoves him off into the guardrail. Buff
leaps off the apron with a double axehandle. Buff shoves him backfirst into
the apron, so Hennig gets rid of him by going low. Hennig puts the nervehold
on Buff's shoulder again, then shoves him into the guardrail. Hennig waits in
the ring for Buff, and catches him on the apron. Buff drops down with a
jawbreaker, and comes back in. Back elbow, and Buff chokes Hennig on the
ropes. Whip into the corner, and Hennig gets a boot up as Buff charges.
Hennig tries to put on an STF but Buff crawls to the ropes. Legdrop on the
groin, and Hennig has the full crowd support. Whip off the ropes - and Hennig
puts on a sleeper. Buff gets grounded, and Nick Partick checks the arm. It
drops twice, and stays up the third. Buff gets up and elbows out. He comes
off the ropes, and Hennig drives a knee right into his midsection. He puts
the sleeper back on. Hennig finally has enough and hits Bagwell over the
head. Bagwell up, and Hennig chops him right back down. Scoop slam, Hennig
drops an elbow, 1, 2, Bagwell's out. Hennig whips Buff into the opposite
corner, then charges with a clothesline. He looks at Buff, and slaps him.
That wakes Buff right up as he rakes the eyes of Hennig. Scoop slam from
Buff, and Bagwell poses. He comes off the ropes, drops a knee, but Hennig
moves. Cradle, 1, 2, Buff is out. Hennig chops Buff. Whip into the opposite
corner Hennig attacks. Whip to the other corner, Buff blocks the attack,
heads up - Blockbuster. 1, 2, 3. Goodbye Curt.

Time: 8:11 *3/4

In one of the greatest moments as a fan I've ever been a part of, everyone in
the building stands up and applauds Hennig while chanting "Perfect" the whole
time. It was a genuine display of emotion from the fans.

So of course WCW takes away the stipulation the very next night. Heaven
forbid the fans get involved emotionally like this.

Mike Tenay stands with Sting. Sting says he's not happy about the fact he
lost the title to start with - so technically he's still the champion.
Tonight, in his hometown or not, Bret is going down.

BRET HART vs. STING (in a semi-finals match in the World Title Tournament)

Sting is CRAZY OVER as a heel in this match. These are the most boos he's
received since he turned back at Fall Brawl 99, 2 months earlier - and the
closest he'd ever be to being a true heel.

Bret and Sting circle eachother, and Bret uses various techniques to try and
psyche out Sting. They lock up, and Sting winds up in the corner. Mickie Jay
orders the break. Sting shoves Bret, and Bret shoves right back. Face to face
jawing! They continue to shove eachother a little more. Finally Sting goes
for a punch, but Bret blocks and counters with his own. Headbutt, followed by
Sting's face being raked over the ropes. Kidney punch, headbutt, and toss to
the outside. Bret follows him out and whips Sting into the guardrail. Sting
gets thrown into the apron, and rolled back in. Bret drops an elbow to
Sting's head, and headbutts his groin. Inverted atomic drop, Bret tries to
follow up but Sting rakes the eyes. From behind, he's absolutely clawing at
the eyes now. Stomp to the fingers! Sting looks to the fans and gets booed.
Bret's head gets taken into the turnbuckle. Whip across the ring - and Bret
meets the turnbuckle back first. Another whip - same result only Bret comes
out of the corner with a clothesline. Vertical suplex, 1, 2, Sting kicks out.
Sting gets the advantage back with a blatant nutshot. Sting again calls to
the fans and gets soundly booed. Foot on Bret's throat, 1, 2, 3, Sting lets
go. Scoop slam, elbowdrop, cover, 1, 2, Bret's out. Sting slaps on a rear
chinlock. Bret keeps his hand up to let Mickie Jay know he's still in the
game. Bret turns, and gets a waistlock on Sting…and hammers some punches to
Sting to escape the hold. Bret off the ropes - and Sting meets him with a
knee to the midsection. Elbowdrop, cover, 1, 2, Bret kicks out. Bret now
thrown to the outside and Sting's right behind him. Bret gets thrown right
into the announce table, and the second one sees him on top of the table.
Sting charges, and Bret moves having Sting catch all table. Eyerake from
Bret, but Sting immediately turns the momentum back and whips him into the
guardrail. Sting rolls Bret into the ring. Whip - Sting goes for the Stinger
Splash but gets met with a boot to the face. Bret heads to the top, and hits
both Sting and the ref with an axehandle blow. Lex Luger and Liz make their
presence felt and grab Sting's baseball bat. He nails Sting in the knees to a
loud pop! Bret gets up, grabs the bat from Luger, and kicks his ass! Luger
put in the Sharpshooter and he taps like crazy. Mickie Jay calls for the
bell.

Time: 7:34

Mickie Jay calls the winner Bret Hart via disqualification. Bret is arguing
like crazy about this and finally Jay lets the match continue. So we're still
going. Punches to Sting's midsection, and Sting's hobbling on the sore knee.
Another punch grounds Sting, so Bret grabs his legs and stomps at the
midsection. Russian legsweep, cover, 1, 2, shoulder up. Backbreaker, Bret
goes for a double axehandle but gets met with a boot to the face. Sting puts
on the Scorpion Deathlock. Bret punches the bad leg…and Sting drops so Bret
puts Sting in the Sharpshooter! Sting has nowhere to go, he's done!!

Time: 10:07 **1/2

Sting calls Bret back to the ring. Bret gets back in the ring with Sting
yelling. Mickie Jay tries to intervene, but Sting just wants to offer his
hand. Bret shakes, offers a half hug, and Sting heads to the back so Bret can
enjoy the moment.

Gene stands with Chris Benoit. He says he's waited 14 years for this
opportunity, and it'll be an honor to wrestle Bret. Last time he faced Bret,
it was for Owen. This time it's for the top position in wrestling. It'll be a
true test to see if Bret really is the best there is, the best there was, and
the best there ever will be.

Mike Tenay has Lex Luger backstage. Luger was so badly hurt by Bret's attack
that he's wearing a neckbrace. Luger says Bret is careless, and he needs to
wear the collar until further notice. He wants to compete tonight, but can't.
He will write a personal cheque to every one of the Package fans out there so
they get their money's worth.

Berlyn's entrance was really something live. That's about all I remember from
this match.

Oklahoma and Steve Williams are in the house to join us for commentary.
Oklahoma still has Bell's Palsy at this point. He's carrying his barbecue
sauce as usual.

Vamp throws the collar to Berlyn, but Berlyn isn't in the mood. He levels
Charles Robinson with it then The Wall drops Vamp, and Berlyn whips him with
the chain. Jerry Only and Berlyn fight on the outside. Nick Patrick takes
over referee duties. Vamp somehow manages to crotch The Wall with the chain,
goes to the second rope, and gets yanked off by The Wall. The match still
hasn't officially started. Vamp headbutts The Wall, goes for the Nail In The
Coffin, but Berlyn is in to clip him. The Wall puts the dog collar on for
some reason. Vamp tries fighting both guys. Oklahoma yells "Would somebody
please stop the damn match?" The Wall gets a chokeslam, covers, and Berlyn
for some reason breaks it up. He gets all up in The Wall's area. Wall takes
off his collar and throws it to Berlyn. Berlyn works over Vamp with the chain
again while The Wall skulks at ringside before walking to sense. Boy oh boy,
this match makes a TON OF SENSE! Until this match "officially" starts, I'm
not calling anymore. Oklahoma rips off about every single JR cliché in the
book during this. This non-match goes on for about an hour… It never gets
started, but Vamp wins with a choke with the chain in a camel clutch
position.

Time: About 5:00 according to CRZ's Quick 'N Dirty results
DUD

Dr. Death kills Vampiro and Jerry Only after the match.

Mike Tenay stands with Scott Hall. Last Monday, Rick Steiner was powerbombed
through a stage, so he can't wrestle Scott Hall tonight and forfeits the TV
Title. Hall wonders if Big Poppa and Rick get a group rate in the hospital.

Luger is still in great pain from earlier. He sells it like a kid who has
a "sore throat" and has to stay home from school, meaning it's comic genius!
Mickey Jay expressed concern.

Let's go back to the World Title tourney where Meng got screwed by Luger, so
Meng turned around and did the same thing to him.

I swear, I was cheering my lungs out for Meng, and the whole section around
me must have wondered what I was on.

Meng goes all animal on Luger with his fast kicks and punches. He rips off
Luger's shirt and chops his back. Kicking away at the midsection now at rapid
speed. He rakes the eyes of Meng, and Meng yells WHOOOWAH! He kicks Luger out
of the ring and continues his punching and kicking out on the floor. Luger
gets rolled in and Meng yells at Liz. Luger tries to stomp Meng in the ring,
and runs him over with a clothesline. Meng pops right back up, and tries to
get the Tongan Death Grip through the neckbrace. Luger's hurting, but it
saves him. Meng chokes Luger in the corner with his boot, then with his
hands. Meng again tries to scare Liz and he gets run over with a clothesline.
Luger pulls on his afro - whip - and a powerslam! 1, 2, Meng's up. They trade
punches in the corner, and Luger grabs the fro again and sends him into the
corner. DON'T MESS WITH THE FRO! Meng gets slammed into every turnbuckle, but
that just wakes him up and he slams his own head into one about 5 times.
Luger's scared now. He kicks and punches all of which are no sold. Kick,
kick, headbutt, headbutt, Luger's down! Clothesline, clothesline, kick, kick,
he's down again! 1, 2, Luger kicks out. Meng chokes Luger on the ropes while
Liz gets some spray. Meng moves and Luger takes it in the eyes. Meng rips the
brace off of Luger while he can't see, and hits the Tongan Death Grip!!!
Luger's down, 1, 2, 3!!

Time: 5:23 1/2*

That result was certainly unexpected. Meng rules.

Mean Gene has Bret Hart backstage. He'll be facing Chris Benoit in the
finals. He's going to put friendship aside for this match. They're not going
to disappoint anyone. It's taken him 2 years, and he's going to prove without
a shadow of a doubt he is the best there is, the best there was, and the best
there ever will be. Funny moment, during the interview Luger walks around
looking frantically for Elizabeth.

David Flair polishes his crowbar.

Scott Hall makes his way out. He's in his wrasslin' gear and wearing both his
belts. There's a Mark Madden look-a-like in the front row. "Hey yo. Like I
said earlier, there's nothing I like better than beating somebody up in
Toronto. The only thing better, is I just talked to Big Kev. He's on his way
here, and we're gonna turn Toronto upside down. So if there's anybody in the
back that wants some of Scott Hall, don't sing it, bring it."

I called the mystery opponent the SECOND I heard Steiner wasn't in the
building. Needless to say, this is MORE than a decent replacement. Though I
don't think anyone in Toronto really gives a crap about Booker T
unfortunately.

SCOTT HALL vs. BOOKER T (for the WCW United States Heavyweight Title)

Booker T shoves Scott Hall. Hall didn't expect that, so he wiggles his
fingers. Hall does the international "suck it" sign, then throws his
toothpick at Booker. This is apparently the FUNNIEST thing he's ever seen.
Lockup, Hall goes to the shouldblocks, goes for a hammerlock but can't get
it, so he drives him over with a suplex. Booker T is up and immediately drags
the arm of Scott Hall, then hits a Harlem Sidekick. Cover gets 1. Booker T
punches and chops in the corner. A "Rocky" chant breaks out, for about the
fourth time tonight, though I think the other times they managed to edit it
out. Sidewalk slam, 1, 2, Hall gets out. Booker T charges, Scott Hall gets a
drop toe hold and Booker goes face first into a turnbuckle. Whip - Booker
ducks the clothesline, and comes off with a flying jalapeno which knocks Hall
out of the ring. Hall gets a kick to the midsection back in. Booker tries a
hiptoss, Hall blocks, can't hit his own, so goes to the chokeslam instead. 1,
2, Booker's out. Whip - Booker ducks the clothesline, tries a crossbody, but
walks right into a fallaway slam. Booker gets clotheslined right over the
top, and Hall follows. Face first to the steps. Hall throws him in, covers,
1, 2, kickout. Tornado punch from Hall, 1, 2, Booker is out. Whip to the
ropes, and Booker gets caught in a sleeper hold. Booker down to one knee.
Jeff Jarrett and Creative Control make their presense felt. Spinning belly to
back is executed by Booker! Kick to the gut, off the ropes, axekick!
Spinaroonie. He waits…Harlem Sidekick! Booker raises the roof. Scoop slam,
and the Harris's have made their way in. They both take Harlem Sidekicks.
Booker yells at Jarrett who had been distracting the refs, which allows Hall
the chance to come over and hit him with the Outsider's Edge. 1, 2, 3.

Time: 6:04 *1/4

Jarrett and Creative Control put the boots to Booker, but the lights go out.
Mydnight strikes, and the duo take them all out.

The Total Package continues his search for Elizabeth.

Last month, Kimberly invited David Flair back to her hotel room, but Ric
showed up instead. Hilarity ensues. DDP took out Flair at Havoc leading to
the Filthy Animals burying him in the desert. David Flair goes insane, takes
out DDP with a crowbar, and spends the next month stalking Kimberly. Bam Bam
Bigelow, in a moment where I WOULDN'T want to be in his way, grabs a baseball
bat and wants a piece of Flair. Flair takes him out with the crowbar, and
continues his stalking. The Powers That Be seemed to get a real kick out of
this woman being stalked. I'm as shocked as you are.

DAVID FLAIR vs. KIMBERLY

Kimberly comes to the ring confident. David Flair puts down the crowbar at
the request of Nick Patrick. He comes to her corner and she kicks him in the
nuts but he no sells. David grabs the crowbar and knocks out Nick Patrick.
Kimberly cowers in front of David, then gets an idea…she's going to offer him
a blowjob. I am NOT making this up. She goes into his underwear - and rips
his protective cup right out. Kimberly nails David with the cup, and now she
kicks him in the nuts again and he feels it. She kicks him in the head, and
the midsection three times. She shoves the cup in his face, jumps on him
choking, slapping, everything. David shoves her off, grabs the crowbar, and
Kanyon runs in! A Russian legsweep drops him. He checks on Kimberly, gets up,
kicks David in the midsection numerous times, then hits him with a Samoan
Drop! DDP staggers down to ringside (and I should add to ZERO pop) while
David hits Kanyon in the groin with the crowbar. DDP grabs David, hits a
Diamond Cutter, and takes the crowbar. He goes to level David, but Arn runs
in to stop it. Arm takes the crowbar away and protects David. Page and
Kimberly leave while Arn helps David to his feet. He stupidly gives the
crowbar back to David, who promptly turns on him, beating him in the lower
back with it. Doug Dillenger is hot on the scene! Flair exits by the crowd,
while Arn takes a stretcher job.

Time: No Match

Sid and Goldberg had issues dating back to before Halloween Havoc. At Havoc,
Goldberg won the match when the referee stopped it due to blood loss on the
part of Sid. So an I Quit Match was signed for Mayhem.

Mike Tenay has Sid with him. Sid says he'll never say the words I Quit to
Bill Goldberg. He is the master and ruler of Bill Goldberg.

SID VICIOUS vs. GOLDBERG (in an "I Quit" Match)

Sid, the heel, gets a decent pop. Goldberg on the other hand is a heat
seeking machine, with these fans wanting him dead. The Goldberg chants on the
PPV and video release are completely pumped in, because there was NO such
chant taking place at the show.

Sid attacks Goldberg on the apron before the match even starts. Into the
ring - Sid gets whipped into the ropes, Goldberg has him up with a scoop
slam. Clothesline to the floor. Goldberg follows punching the whole way. Sid
gets whipped into the guardrail and Goldberg continues his assault. Sid is
rolled in. As Goldberg gets in, Sid's up and kicking at Goldberg. Cobra
clutch put on, and turned into a slam! Sid kicks away, and runs over Goldberg
with a clothesline. He chokes Goldberg in the ropes and Mickie Jay orders a
break. Fish hook, again forced to break. Punches in the corner - followed by
a boot to the throat. Whip off the ropes, chokeslam is set, and hit! Sid
picks Goldberg up a second time, and hits it again! Sid chokes Goldberg on
the mat and Jay tries to break, but Sid realizes this is I Quit and doesn't
have to. Goldberg rolls over and puts on a cross arm breaker! Sid gets to the
ropes and Goldberg breaks the hold. Short arm clothesline, short arm
clothesline, short arm clothesline. Crowd: "BOOOOO!" Goldberg punches Sid on
the mat. In the corner, and Sid drops to the mat. Goldberg throws him right
back up, and comes with kidney punches, as well as shots to the face. Sid
still won't quit. Goldberg puts him in a cobra clutch on the mat, and Mickie
Jay calls for the bell???

Time: 5:29 *

Umm, what the hell was that? Sid passes out in five and a half minutes? Wow,
what a conclusion to this feud!

Gene has found The Total Package. He says since Liz has been hiding all
night, she knows she screwed up. Luger won't get mad, he'll get even. So
tomorrow night, Liz had better watch her back.

CHRIS BENOIT vs. BRET HART (for the WCW World Heavyweight Title)

If there's one thing Russo ISN'T given enough credit for, it's the fact that
he made Chris Benoit a legitimate main eventer, so kudos to him for that. And
it only took him a month to do so with this tournament. If there's ever been
a pay-per-view that's been sold solely on its main event (or in this case,
the tournament) this is definitely one of them!

They shake hands before the match. Circling around, and they tie up. Into the
corner, and Robinson has a hard time separating them. They circle again,
Benoit hits an armdrag. They're both slow to get up. Not because they're
tired, but because they're careful. Tie up - Benoit tries to work the arm,
but Bret gets it off and into the corner. They lock hands, Bret gets a knee
to the midsection, and hammers home some punches to the back. He yanks on the
arm, Benoit fires off a punch, so Bret drags him over and to the mat. Bret
works the arm. Benoit gets him off, into the ropes, and drives a knee to the
midsection. Whip off the ropes - and Benoit's there again with a knee in the
midsection. Snapmare takeover, Benoit slaps on a headlock, Bret rolls him
through, 1, and he's out. Benoit hangs on - shoved off into the ropes, and
connects with a shoulderblock. Again he's off the ropes - ducks a
clothesline - sunset flip but Bret is right there in the ropes. Bret goes for
the Sharpshooter, but Benoit counters into the crossface, and Bret's in the
ropes. They shake hands again once on their feet. They lock hands, Bret kicks
Benoit in the midsection, and has him in the corner. Punch, punch, Benoit's
down. Bret pulls Chris back to his feet, punch, whip, reversal, and Bret runs
chest first into the turnbuckle. That guy with the Canadian flag who nailed
Malenko earlier is back, and he hops the guardrail. Yeah, we're 5 minutes
into a great wrestling match - what will we do without sportz entertainment?
It's Dean Malenko under the paint, and he beats the hell out of Benoit who's
on the floor with the Canadian flag. Bret gets on him and beats him until
security shows up. Back in the ring, Bret drops an elbow. Ugh, was THAT
necessary? Bret hits a spike piledriver, 1, 2, Benoit gets his foot on the
bottom rope. Legdrop, he rolls Benoit over towards the ropes, leaps on his
midsection, then chokes him with his boot. He breaks the hold, lifts Benoit
up, and headbutts the lower back. Benoit chops out of the corner, and manages
to knock Bret down. Benoit has him up - backbreaker! 1, 2, Bret kicks out.
Bret sent off the ropes, and Benoit backdrops him. Pick up - belly to back!
1, 2, no! Bret kicks Benoit as he approaches him, and hits a DDT midring. 1,
2, Benoit gets a shoulder up. Bret has Benoit off the ropes, tries a tilt-a-
whirl, Benoit reverses, tombstone!!! He heads up to the top rope - flying
headbutt! And here comes Scott Hall lumbering down. 1, 2, Bret kicks out, and
Hall pulls the ref out. Kevin Nash joins Hall. Benoit takes a fallaway slam
from Hall, and Nash has Bret in the corner with a chair. Goldberg comes down
to the ring, spear for Kevin! Bret was never touched by the way. Goldberg
gets whacked in the back by Hall with the chair. Bret turns Hall around -
atomic drop! Clothesline sends him down. Hall crawls out of the ring and Bret
follows. A roll of toilet paper makes its way to the ring. Bret fights with
Hall into the aisle, until Hall goes back to Nash. Goldberg is right behind
them. Goldberg attacks them at the top of the ramp. This helped make this one
of the saddest moments I've ever endured as a fan. I spent the rest of the
match keeping an eye at the ramp to see who comes out next, rather than
watching the match unfold. Benoit hits a legwhip on Bret, and works over the
knee. Backstage Goldberg fights the Outsiders. Benoit drops an elbow on the
knee of Bret. Stomp to the knee, single leg atomic drop, stomp, stomp, elbow
drop. Benoit lifts Bret by the hair - and chops him back down. Benoit slaps
on the figure four leglock! Bret crawls to the ropes and Benoit is forced to
break the hold. Bret staggers to the corner, and Benoit boots him in the
knee. Bret fights back with kicks. Backbreaker, 1, 2, Benoit's out. Bret sets
Benoit up top - superplex! 1, 2, Benoit gets an arm on the ropes. Kick to the
back, Bret pulls him to the middle, Russian legsweep, 1, 2, no! Headbutt to
the lower back, another one, Benoit's down. Scoop, his leg gives out with
Benoit on top, 1, 2, Bret gets out with Benoit flying to the floor on that
kickout. Bret picks Benoit up, tries a suplex over the apron, but Benoit
slips down the back and hits a German suplex!!! He's rolling through, up,
hits a second! Sets for the dragon suplex, but Bret blocks, and Benoit tries
a crossface. Bret fights out, they get up, Bret pulls him over to the mat,
and gets on the Sharpshooter!!!!! Benoit taps!!! We have a new WCW World
Heavyweight Champion!!!

Time: 17:44 ***1/4

You know, this match probably would have hit **** at least without the
dumbass interference. Bret celebrates with his five kids, (though the only
one I know is Blade since he never talks about the other four), and his (ex-?)
wife. Benoit gives Bret a hug and lets him celebrate. Bret holds the flag
high in the air.

Nowhere near as good as I remember this show to be. It was Vince Russo's
crash style booking though - so that's to be expected. Unless you're a Chris
Benoit fan and want to see his first real main event, ignore this show. If
you're a WCW fan, there's far better to cash in on than this.

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